Are you a member of a political party, political group, or community advocacy group? (eg; Labor, Liberal, Greens, Socialist, My Place, Angry Victorians, Better West, environment groups, etc)
I’ve never been a member of a political party and I don’t intend to become one! I was an active member of the Greater Sunshine Community Alliance which was very busy during the pandemic years but that group is on a hiatus at the moment.
More broadly, I’m a member of the PTUA (Public Transport Users Association) which advocates for better public transport right across Victoria.
What is the most important issue facing your electorate?
There has been a lot of partisan game playing in Brimbank over the past few years and it has created a sense of disengagement and distrust in the council. It has been a huge distraction from solving the big problems of population growth and climate change that are an issue now and will only grow in the coming years. We need an independently led council to make sure that Brimbank gets a fair deal from the state and federal governments as there have been instances of the council being too timid in its advocacy and resulting in less than optimal outcomes.
Should/how can Council support local businesses?
YES – we should look for ways to make doing business with the council easier, such as streamlining any permit application processes. Where we identify particular locations that are ripe for regeneration we should consider initiatives to foster the formation of new businesses in these locations to help them get up and running. An example could be to waive certain fees for the first year or similar.
Should/how can Council support local creatives and industries?
YES – creative/arts initiatives are important for expressing culture and preserving history (both local history and the history that newer members of the community bring with them). Creative industries can springboard revitalisation programs and uplift shop/activity areas that may be a bit tired. I’m a big fan of the example set by the Renew Newcastle program, which has been copied in lots of other places.
Should/how can Council help alleviate the impact of climate extremes on local communities and ecosystems?
In Brimbank we have a lot of concrete and asphalt and a shortage of trees! I’d like us to ramp up our tree planting program to combat the urban heat island effect and to make active transport (ie walking and cycling) more feasible in the height of summer.
Should/how can Council help alleviate cost of living and homelessness?
Our council is extremely dependent on income from rates – it would not be appropriate or honest to make promises here about cutting or capping rates.
The council can help on cost of living measures by making sure that the services it offers reach the greatest number of people possible and that where there is a charge for these services that they are reasonably priced.
Homelessness related services are generally provided by the state government. Through its own service delivery, the council can become aware of individuals that may be in need of assistance and can provide the appropriate referrals to stop people falling through the cracks. The council can work with the state government to locate outreach services in appropriate locations. Lastly, the council can and should consider placement of public housing within local redevelopment and infill projects.
What should Council stop spending money on?
I’m not sure I have an exact answer to this question, however I am a big believer that there are always efficiency gains to be made. We should scrutinise contracts the council enters into closely and we should be squeezing every dollar out of council run services to get value for money.
Should the public be allowed to ask live, unscripted questions of councillors during council meetings?
Absolutely YES on this question, council meetings can be a forum for residents to air concerns in a very visible way. Obviously there would need to be an expectation of respect and politeness on both sides, and councillors will not always have answers to every question on the spot. However, we should embrace the discomfort and unpredictability of this format because it lets all concerns be aired.
Can you please provide a short personal statement detailing what your priorities are if elected, and what your vision for your electorate looks like.
My candidacy is centered on the need to have an independent led reset of Brimbank council after years of silly partisan games to better focus on serving our community and on the needs of residents.
Brimbank needs strong and independent oversight of council if it is going to achieve the future it deserves and continues to be a great place to live for all those who call it home. We need a council that looks towards the future and stands up for the interests of our community with state and federal governments to overcome years of chronic underinvestment.
I have no party allegiance and will work to ensure that the council focuses on improving amenity and services. I will emphasise local responses to the key challenges of the here and now, particularly our rapidly growing population and climate change.
I will redouble our efforts to plant street trees, improve active transport options (especially walking paths), and look to boost our local economy and reduce sources of disadvantage. I will focus on initiatives that build an inclusive community at the local level.
